Target-practice apparatus.



PATENTBD SEPT. 22, 1903. H. E. CUMMINGS. TARGET PRACTICE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION rum) JULY 10. 1903.

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APPLICATION FILED JULY 10, 1903.

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PATENTED SEPT. 22, 1903.

H. H. CUMMINGS. TARGET PRACTICE APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 1. 1903.

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- .iatented September 22, 1903.

UNITED STATES PATENT Or ice.

HENRY H. CUMMINGS, OF MALDEN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO SUB- TARGET GUNCOMPANY, OF SAOO, MAINE, AND BOSTON, MASSACHU- SETTS, A CORPORATION OFMAINE.

TARGET-PRACTICE APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 739,778, datedSeptember 22, 1903.

' Application filed July 10, 1903. Serial No. 164,965. (No model-J iassociated with other means as to enable; a

marksman through their use to acquire skill and proficiency for anydesired range without the issuance of any projectile from the aimingdevice and without the necessity of an extended space in which toconduct the practice.

My invention will be best understood from the following description,taken in connection with the accompanying illustration of one specificembodiment thereof, while its scope will be more particularly pointedout in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is an end elevation, partially broken away,looking from the 0 rear of an apparatus made in accordance with myinvention. Fig. 2 is a similar side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is anenlarged side elevation, partially in section, of the supporting-beamand other parts related thereto.

5 Fig. at is an enlarged section taken on the line 4 4t in Fig. 3,showing the universal connection between the gun-holder and the beam.Fig. 5 is a detailof the gun-trigger. Fig. 6

is a detail in section on the line 6 6 inFig. 3,

showing the construction of the dowel-pin and adjusting-screw. Fig. 7 isan end view of the electromagnetic recording mechanism. Fig.8 is asectional elevation of the same, taken on the line 8 8 in Fig. 7. Fig. 9is a 5 front elevation of the subtarget-holder with a subtarget inposition. Fig. 10 is a side elevation, on an enlarged scale, of thebeam-adjusting device and the connections between the gyratory rod andthe recording-needle. Fig. 11 is a section on the line 11 11 in Fig.

10. Fig.12 is a detail of the jointed gunholder. Fig. 13 isa sectiontaken on the line 13 13, Fig. 12. Fig. it is a section taken on the line1a 14, Fig. 12. Fig. 15 is a section taken on the line 15 15 in Fig. 13.Fig. 16 is a detail of the holder. Fig. 17 is a perspective view showingthe method of employing the target-practice apparatus described.

In the drawings the aiming device to be described is mounted upon asupporting subbase or standard A of a suitable height to afford to themarksman a normal or easy position of the gun, which has a considerablerange of movement and is herein employed as the aiming device. At thetop of the standard are provided suitable supporting means foradjustablysupporting the gun beam or carrier B, the latter being hereinshown as substantially horizontal and generally of a barrel orcylindrical shape'excepting at its forward end, where it is flattened toprovide the necessary space for the recording devices. The beam Bisfulcru med upon the stud 1), Figs. 3 and 11, adjustment of the said beamin avertical plane about its fulcrum being afforded by theadjusting-screw 12, provided with a check-nut.

b Lateral adjustment of the said beam is permitted by means of thelaterally-disposed adjusting-screw b Fig. 6, in the standard A engagingthe sideof the dowel-pin b fixedly secured to the under side of the beamand passing into a recess in the top of the said standard, which recessis provided with considerable clearance. Engaging the opposite side ofthe dowel-pin is the adjustable stopscrew 'b By loosening the lateraladjustingscrew 19 and tightening the stop-screw, or by reversing thisoperation, the beam may be given the slight lateral adjustment in ahorizontal plane necessary for the initial alinement of the apparatus,the beam during such adjustment moving about the vertical threadedpivotal support h under the fulcrum b. The dowel-pin b is rigidly heldfrom lateral movement by engagement therewith of the adjusting-screw 6while any tendency'of the beam to tip forward is overcome by the springS, interposed between a nut on the dowel-pin and the under surface ofthe overhanging edge of the standardA.

Referring now to Figs; 3, 10, and 11, the stud b is rotatably mounted insuitable journals in the beam B and is prevented from lateral movementtherein by the spring-pressed pin 19 at the side of the said beamengaging a groove in the periphery of the stud. The beam receivessupport from thestud, the latter being supported in turn by the yoke bone arm of which is engaged by a threaded portion upon the stud, anotherstud portion having asliding fit within the other yoke-arm, so that byrotative movement of the stud the beam may be shifted laterally withrespect to the supporting-yoke, and therefore with respect to thestandard A. The exposed end of the stud is provided with a suitablehandlever b and-an indicator 1) the latter arranged in proximity to thegraduated dialplate I), by means of which the displacement of the beamthrough angular rotary movement of the stud may be estimated orindicated.

To provide a vertical adjustment 'for the yoke b and therefore also asecond vertical adjustment for the beam B, the lower part of the yoke bforms, Fig. 3, a nutb engaging with the threads upon the threaded pivotb, which is herein a prolongation of the dial-plate b ,the saiddial-plate and threaded pivotbeing rotatably mounted upon the taperedstud or rest I), secured to the fixed support or standard. The plate 11may be moved intoany desired angular position by the thumb-piece 19 suchmovement obviously effecting a raising or lowering of the nut Z9likewise the yoke 12 and the beam, with its fulcrumsupport Z). Thedial-plate is provided with one or more sets ofgraduations, which passin close proximity to the indicating-finger '1) upon the beam as thesaid plate is moved about its axis. For-a purpose hereinafter explainedI have shown the dial-plate provided with three sets of graduations. Theplate is intended to have a range of movement corresponding to theangular range of each set of graduations, and to bring any one set inproper relation to the indicating-finger 1) without raising or loweringthe stud b above or below its normal position I have shown the graduatedportion 1)" of said dialplate as separate from the portion 1), securedto the threaded part b but adjustably mounted thereon, so that the samemay be moved in one of three positions and secured in such position bythe pin' 5 engaging a corresponding hole in the plate I3 The base of thetapered supporting-stud b is threaded and secured in the prolonged frontend of the standard-top, wherein it may be vertically adjusted asdesired and clamped in its adjusted position by the check-nut 12 At therear upper part of the beam 13, Fig. 3, is a suitable bracket 0, inwhich is universally mounted by the gimbal-joint'c (shown in detail inFig. 4) the gyratory rod 0, the opposite or forward end of said rodhaving a sliding collar'c which when the apparatus is out of use orundergoing adjustment may be moved into and within a corresponding asshown in Fig. 3, the rod is capable of universal gyratory movement aboutthe gimbalsupport.

Slidably mounted upon rod 0, by means of lugs engaging therewith, is onemember or joint -D of the articulated or jointed gun-support by whichthe aiming device is secured to the gyratory rod 0. The supportingmember D spans the bracket 0, being provided between the lugs thereofand the opposing fixed collars "c and 0 respectively, upon the rod 0with comparatively weak springs a and 0 so that Whilethe springs tend tomaintain the joint D, and therefore the aiming device, in a definiteposition they do not offer any considerable resistance to thelongitudinal sliding movement of D upon the rod 0.

Joint D is pivot-ally secured to joint D by ball-bearing connections, asshown in Figs. 12 and 14. Referring particularly to Figs. 12 and 14,joint D is provided with suitable split clamping-brackets (1, containingplugs d, slidable therein and forming at their outer faces suitablecones for the ball-bearings. Said plugs are internally threaded andprovided with adjusting-screws d engaging a fixed pin d in the saidbrackets d, the plugs d being slotted to avoid such pin. The bearingsmay be adjusted or may be loosened to separate the two yokes byinserting a screwdriver through the' central opening in the bearings andthe plug and changing thereby the position of the bearingadjusting-screw d The joint D, Fig. 1, is provided with a lug d adaptedto engage a stop d on the joint D to limit the relative movement of thetwo joints.

I have herein shown the aiming device as consisting of a gun E ofconventional type,

provided with the rigidly-attached'and laterally-disposed bracket e,Figs. 12 and 13, the

latter being provided at one end with a fixed cone e and at the otherwith a spring-pressed sliding cone 2 provided each with bearingsurfacesfor balls normally retained in oppositely-disposed ball-races upon theyoke D. My invention comprehends anysuitable aiming device, and in thisspecific embodiment thereof any desired type ofgun may be employed.Bytheconstructiondescribedseveral different types of guns may beinterchangeably used with one single apparatus, each gun beingprovidedwitha rigidly-attached bracket c,similartothatalreadydescribed. Toremovethe gun from its jointed support, the cone e is withdrawn from itsball-bearing by pressing the thumbpiece e upon the spring-pressed shankthereof to compress the spring,by which the entire gun may be freed fromits connections'and may be removed therefrom to be replaced byanother,if desired. To replace the gun, it is only necessary to place the cone6' within its bearing, press the thumb-piece e the gun while in thehands of the marksman without afiecting the position of the gyratoryrod. The facility of movementis also greatly increased by thelongitudinal sliding movement upon the rod-C, which permits the gun tobe moved forward and backward relatively to its support, also withoutaffecting the gyratory rod. When the rod 0 is freed from the bracket 0as shown in Fig. 3, the gun in addition to its compound positioningmovement relatively to the said rod is also capable of universalgyratory or aiming movement with the rod about its universal support,the latter following in its gyrations the gyrations of the gun, therebeing at all times,

however, a fixed relation between the aiming or pointing of the rod andthe gun as the latter is moved ordinarily about the shoulder of themarksman as a fulcrum in the act of aiming at a: distant object. dentthat while thegyratory rod serves toindicate the direction of trajectoryof the firearm the marksman is afforded .no conscious aiming-point ofrest during the act of aiming and the firearm has, in effect, a restlesssupport. In'order to maintain a fixed relation between the rod and thegun at all times,

. so that when the latter is aimed at a distant object in one of itspositions and with its jointed connections in one relation, the gymtoryrod may point in precisely the same direction as when the gun is aimedat the same distant object in another of its positions with its jointedconnections in a different relation, or, in otherwords, in order that agyratory movement of the rod 0 shall beeifccted only through an aimingor gyratory movement of the gun and not througha positioning movementthereof the several pivotal axes or axes of articulation connecting therod and the go n, together with the rod and gun themselves, instead ofbeing parallely arranged are made to converge at a point the samedistance away as the bulls-eye of the intended target or,

other object aimed at. The convergence of the several axes referred topermits the gun to swing from side to side or in the arc of a.

circle, describing the path of an element of a cone toward the'apex ofwhich the several axes are directed and while pointing at the It willalso be eviinfluence upon the position of the indicating parts.

To provide an indication of the aim of the gun, I employ aim-indicatingmeans, such as the indicating-needle f, connected to the rod 0, andthereby to the gun, to move with and follow the gyrations of the latterand at the desired time indicate its aim or position with reference to asuitable relatively fixed object, which in order to provide not only anindication, but a permanent record as well, herein consists of asubtarget to be marked or punctured by the needle. The needle f, Figs. 3

and 10, is provided with a spherical bearing f, seated in asuitably-shaped bearing-seatf adj ustably secured within the bracket 0upon the beam B by three centering screws f. The needle fis connectedwith the free end of the rod G by'the sliding yokef, provided with thebearing-recess f, in which is seated the ball f slidably mounted uponthe needle and spring-pressed against its seat by a spring f interposedbetween the said ball f and the ball f. Figs. 2 and 3 that any movementof the rod 10 about its universal support is reproduced,

but to a diderent degree, in the needle f.

through the yoke connection f, the relation between the movements of therod and the needle being dependent upon the position of the sliding yokef upon the rod and needle. To vary the relative movement of the needle,the sliding yoke f may be adjusted to any desired position upon the rod0 within suitable limits and may be there secured by means of theclamping-screw and thumb nut f the spring f maintaining at all times'accurate and sufficient seating or holding of the v said spheresf" andfin their respective seats.

Secured to the rod is an index-finger opposed to a graduated scale fupon the yoke,

It will be seen by referring to which the movements of the needle frelatively to that of the rod 0 depart from that for which the apparatusisnormally adjusted may be determined. 7

In order that the handling of the firearm during aiming may at all timesbe an exact is encumbered, as in actual practice, substantially onlywith the weight of. thegun itself. Referring particularly to Figs.,1, 2and 3, the joints D and D are sccuredby. flexible connections, such asthe chains 9 and simulation of that when the firearm is emg,respectively, to the arms 9 and 9 the former, g being journaled in thevertical supports G and G,'secured to the beam 13,,

and the latter, g having a journal-support in suitable arms partaking ofmovement with the arm 9 The arms 9 and g are provided with suitablecounterweights W and W,- adapted to compensate for the weight of thesaid joints and their connections. In order that the freely-movable gunmay have a rest when not in use or when the apparatus is undergoingadjustment, the arm 9 Fig. 1, is provided with a shoulder g engagingwith the support G, which acts as a stop to constitute a gun-rest, sothat when released by the marksman the gun is allowed to hang suspendedin the position shown in dotted lines, Fig. 1, where it may againreadily be reached and lifted for use into any desired position, such asshown in full lines in Fig.1, the shoulder g withdrawing, as shown, fromthe rest or support 0. Connected to the yoke f Figs. 1 and 3, I havealso'provided the counterweight W adapted to compensate for the weightthereof and that of the gyratory rod and connected parts, so that theentire system of connections herein described is eflectivelycounterweighted for all positions of the gun.

In front of the preferably-pointed end of the marking-needle f isarranged a target-re ceiver h,'Figs. 3, 8, and 9, adapted to receive asubtarget slip or card, the size and shape of which may be varied asdesired. One form of target is shown, Fig. 9, at T, it being insertedinto the holding-slots therefor in the receiver. In order that onetarget may be replaced by another similar one and that the outlines ofthe latter may be presented to the marking-needle in precisely the samerelation as in the case of the first target and that the same may betrue of any number of succes-- sively-used subtargets, the sides of thesubtargets are accurately gaged with reference to the marking thereonand have an accurate fit within the receiver-slots, positioningpointsbeing thus provided between the holder and targets to maintain a fixedtarget relation to the indicating-needle;

The target-case 77., Figs. 7 and 8, is secured to a tubular sleeve 71,slidably mounted in a bracket H at the end of the barrel B to bring thetarget directly opposite the recordingneedle. The sleeve is secured tothe overturned end of the rod 71. by the spring h The rod h slideswithin the bushing 72. in a suitable recess in the bracket H and isprovided with the collar 715, also slidable in said bracket, interposedbetween which andthe bushing h is the target-actuating spring h thesleeve h and rod 7L being shown in their rearward positions] in Fig. 8and the spring under compression ready to throw the target forward whenreleased to throw the latter against the needle-point and to record theaim therefor by the mark or impression thus made. When the spring isreleased, the forward movement of the rod h is limited by the washer orplate h attached thereto, which strikes against the bracket, themovement mews permitted being sufficient to bring the target into'itsdotted-line position almost but not quite in contact with the point ofthe recording-needle. The momentum of the targetcase is suflicient,however, to carry the target against the point of the needle for thenecessary record, the spring 77, yielding to permit this excess ofmovement or overthrow of the target, but also immediately thereafterretracting to pull the target back and clear it from the needle. By thismeans the record is efiected instantaneously, and any movement of theneedle immediately following the similated firing cannot mar the targetor injure the needle-point.

For setting and releasing the target the latter is provided near itslower end with the bar h having the depending arm h, provided in itsforked end with the pin h adapted to engage with the spring-pressedpivoted notched arm h when the spring h is compressed and the target setinto its rearward position and to maintain or lock the target in suchposition until the pin is released by withdrawal of the arm. The notchedarm 72. is adapted to be held in the locked position (shown in Fig. 8)through the engagement of a shoulder on its outer end with the-pivotedcatch h normally thrown into-its catching position by the weighted arm72. but adapted to be withdrawn to release the notched arm 7L by thearmature .70 of the electromagnet K. When the magnet K is energized, the

armature his attracted and the catch h withdrawn from the shouldered endof the arm h. The notch in the latter engaging the pin 72. is slightlyrounded, so that the pin forces it upward when freed, permitting therelease of depending arm k and the target-holder, the latter beingthrown forward into the dotted position by the spring 71.. When it isdesired to reset the target in its full-line position, use is made ofthe resetting-rod at h, secured to the depending arm h and'extendinglengthwise the beam B to present a thumbpiece h directly in front of theoperator or marksman, by whom it may be manipulated during the targetpractice. When the resetting-rod 71 is slid forward, it forces thetarget backward away from the needle and brings the pin h intoengagement with the notched arm, which is thereupon secured and held bythe weighted catch it.

To prevent the sticking of the armature it to the magnet owing toresidual magnetism and which may resist the counterbalancing tendency ofthe weighted arm h the catch 72 is provided with the spring 72", Fig. 7,extending upward and beneath a laterally-extended pin it upon thedepending arm h. When the arm is thrown forward on the release of thetarget, the pin presses against the spring h to force the armature awayfrom its magnets and compel the'separation thereof.

The target setting and releasing devices ICC are preferably concealedfrom view within the barrel B, which at its end is provided with aremovable cap h, Fig. 3.

At the opposite end of the barrel and accessible through a similarmovable cap are located two dry batteries to provide a source of currentfor actuating the magnet K. One terminal of the batteries is connected,as diagrammatically indicated in Fig. 3, to one terminal of the magnet,the other magnet-terminal being grounded to the frame of the machinethrough a connection (not shown) with the magnet-yoke k The remainingbatteryterminal is connected through a wire k Figs. 3 and 12, with aspring-clip 7%, Figs. 12 and 13, secured to the joint D of the jointedgunholder and so located as to contact with a conducting-pin 75 upon thebracket 6 when the latter has been placed within the jointed holder,thus forming a self-closing connection. The conducting-pin k passesthrough the bearing-cone e in the bracket 6, but out ofelectricalcontact with the same, being secured therein by means ofinsulating-collars it, so that it is insulated from the bracket 6, butis permitted to extend through the ballbearing 6 to contact with theaforesaid clip 70. At its opposite end it is electrically connected to awire U, which passes into the gun or other firearm, Fig. 12,where it isconnected to an insulated contact-piece 10 (see Fig. 5,) the latterbeing within the path of a finger it", which may be moved by themarksman to close the circuit, preferably by pulling the gun-trigger.The finger 70* being also grounded upon the machine, it follows thatwhen the trigger is pulled and the circuit closed at t themagnet-circuit is completed andthe magnet energized to release thetarget and cause a record of the position of the recording-needlethereupon.

This apparatus when used is set up in any convenient position, eitherindoors or out of doors, where the gun may be sighted at some object,such as a main target. When so set up, the gyratory rod C is firstlocked against movement by sliding the collar 0 within the recess of thebracket 0 In this condition the beam is adjusted by the verticaladjusting-screw b and the lateral adjusting-screw b until the gun pointsaccurately to the bulls-eye of the target or object sighted, the heel ofthe marking-needlef being then adjusted by the centeringscrewsf untilthe marking-needle at the same time points to the center of thebulls-eye of the miniature target. suitable cross hairs or sights may beemployed for verifying the accuracy of this preliminary adjustment ofthe gun, if desired, although not ordinarily required. Since the collar0 closely fits its end peratin g aperture in the bracket 0 the insertionof the former within the latter directs the aiming device,indicating-needle, and subtarget all into a certain and predeterminedrelation with one another and there maintains them during thepreliminary adjustment of the apparatus. It will be evident that thissame relation maybe defined and repeated for any number of successiveadjustments, and since the indicating-needle will ordinarily seldomrequire adjustment relatively to the subtarget the former may by thesemeans he almost invariably brought directly opposite the center of thebulls-eye of the subtarget and there maintained during adjustment of thegun relatively to the main target.

The bearing-ball f is provided with means, as the lateral arm Z, Fig.11, projecting between the two pins Z upon the bracket 0 to preventrotative movement of the needle without impeding free gyratory movementthereof. This preserves the marking-needle always in the same rotativeposition, so that if bent slightly-the apparatus may still be adjustedquickly and accurately.

VVheu the sliding collar 0 is withdrawn from the bracket 0 the apparatusis ready for use. The marksman, taking the gun in his hands exactly aswhen firing, aims at the distant object or target, the movements of thegun in aiming relatively to the distant object being accuratelyreproduced by the movements of the needle f relatively to the subtarget,and at the moment the marksman .pulls the gun-trigger the subtarget isreleased by the electromagnetic devices and 4' moved instantly to recordthereupon the accuracy of the aim at the momentv of such simulatedfiring. The marksman now resets the target-holder by the resetting-rodh, removes the subtarget-card, which may be preserved as a permanentrecord in the accuracy of aim, inserts a fresh target, and continues hispractice, the same target being employed for several aims ora freshtarget used in each case, as may be desired. ceptaclest and t for thereception of used and unused targets are provided in the side of thestandard A, Figs. 1 and 2.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the markingneedle f passes through arectangular limiting-frame m, mounted upon the beam in front of thetarget-holder. This frame is of such shape and proportions as to preventthe marking-needle from describing a movement which would carry itspoint outside the marking limits of the miniature target. When themovement of the needle is thus limited by the frame m, the spring fpermits the unseating of the spherical bearingf to allow furthergyratory movement of the rod 0, and the gun within suitable limits thusconstituting ayielding connection, allowing an excess of movement of thegun over the re-.

stricted movement of the needle.

Marksman are accustomed to practice at short ranges in a standingposture, at limited ranges in a kneeling posture, at long ranges in aprone position, and to permit these Various postures with my apparatus Ihave provided the standard A with a lower shelf a for the prone positionand an intermediate shelf a for the kneeling position, upon either ofSuitable target-re- I desired. Each shelf is provided with a taperedstud or gun-rest similar to I), a vertical adjusting-screw similar to b,and a lateral adjusting-screw similar to I9 so that to place theapparatus in Condition for use in the kneeling position it is onlynecessary to loosen the lateral adjusting-screw b remove the beam, withits threaded pivot b from the taper stud b and place it upon thecorresponding stud upon the intermediate shelf ct, where the beam may beinitially adjusted, as heretofore described.

The several supporting-shelves, with the beam or carrier-holding device,constitute means for varying the relative distance between the marksmanssupport and the aiming device, the marksmans support being the same or adifierent one from that upon which the standard A rests. I preferablyemploy these in addition'to those means already described for adjustingthe aiming device in positioning the same or in adapting the same to thevarying heights of different marksmen in the same aiming posture, theperformance of these functions being eflected by the jointed orarticulated holder.

For competitive contests it is often desirable to give a marksman eithera positive or negative handicap. This may be done by adjusting the yoke.f to an abnormal position on the rod 0, so that the deviation of then'eedlef from the bulls-eye of the subtarget. T'to correspond to adeviation of the line of given sight from the bulls-eye of the maintarget may be greater or less than normal. This variation, whichconstitutes, in effect, a handicap, will be indicated on the graduatedscale' upon the yoke, the scale reading to yards, corresponding to thehandicap, or being simply arbitrary in its indications.

Owing to defects in eyesight, it happens that some marksmen willhabitually shoot too high, others too low, and still others to the rightor left of the bulls-eye. To correct such errors of eyesight andeliminate the results thereof from the recorded aim, the followingattachments are provided, which may be used when desired. As heretoforeexplained, movements of the graduated plate I)" tend to raise or lowerthe beam. If after the beam has been adjusted so that both therecording-needle and the gun simultaneously point to the centers oftheir respective targets the beam is then slightly raised, it is obviousthat the gun must be sighted high in order that the record may be madeupon the bulls-eye of the miniature target, and likewise when the beamis lowered the gun must be sighted low for a corresponding record. Ifthen a marksman habitually sights thegun too high by twenty-five yards,for example,the dial b may be turned left-handedly from its-zeroposition, which corresponds to normal eyesight,- through twenty-five ofits graduated units, which will raise the beam,

and therefore bring the recording-needle opposite the bulls-eye of theminiature target when the marksman has sighted the gun as it appears tohim upon the center of the distant target. Likewise if another marksmanis in the habit of sighting the gun too low the dial should be turnedright-handedly to correct/the error in yards which his deficiency ineyesight is known to introduce. Since the sights upon thevarious-standard makes of guns are largely arbitrary, and in thisrespect the various gun's differ among themselves, I have provided aplurality of scales upon the dial b", so that with the apparatus hereinshown three dilferent firearms for each of which is provided a scale maybe interchangeably employed in connection with the dial-plate. When onegun is in use, the scale upon the plate corresponding to that gun isemployed. When that gun has been removed and replaced by another, thedial b" may be moved upon its plate b to bring the scale correspondingto such gun under the indicator b Deficiencies in eyesight also causedifferent marksmen to aim either to the right or to the left of thebulls-eye, and to correct this defect I employ the lateral adjustmentafforded by the stud b. By moving the stud either left-handedly orright-handedly through the hand-lever the beam may be adjusted either tothe right or the left to correct for errors which naturally cause theaim to deflect either to the right or left. The dial-plate b may begraduated in any desired manner; but since it is customary amongmarksmen to speak of their habitual tendencies to strike the bulls-eyeat one or two or three oclock or eleven, ten, or nine oclock, accordingas theirdefectsin eyesight cause them to aim in different degrees to theright or the left of the bulls-eye, I have graduated the plate tocorrespond to the dial of a clock, so that by setting the pointerf atoneoclock themarksman tends to strike the target at one oclock and maycorrect his tendency to strike the target at eleven oclock. Thus thetendency to strike the target at one side or other of the bulls-eye canbe corrected by setting the pointer to a corresponding position in theopposite direction.

By the adjustments described natural errors of eyesight may beeliminated when de sired and the records be placed upona comparativebasis to show only errors due to inexperience and carelessness. In thismanner each marksman rapidly comes to understand his own habitualdefects in eyesight and learns to estimate them and soon becomesproficient in marksmanship Without the aid of the correctiveattachments.

In Fig. 17 I have shown the target-practice apparatus employed sightingat a distant tarror S, located at half the range distance and'reflecting to the marksman the image of a reams target located at someother point. In the embodiment of myinvention herein described I haveshown secured to the standard A a frame 8, carrying three dissimilartargets, the upper and the largest one, 25, corresponding to theshortest range and the standing position of the marksman, thelowest andsmallest one, 6, corresponding to the longest range and the proneposition of the marksman, and the intermediate one, 21 to the kneelingposition and intermediate range. The mirror S may be set in such aposition that the marksman aiming the gun in any position will see theimage of the target corresponding to that position. In order to giveclearly a distinct image of the target to the marksman, I preferablyemploy targets marked upon some transparent medium, such as groundglass, and

make use of an adjustable illuminating device placed at the rear of thetarget, so that the illuminated surface of the target is seen in themirror by the marksman. For the illuminating device a shadedincandescent lamp, such as F, Figs. 1 and 2, may be employed, connectedwith a suitable current source by a flexible conductor of sufficientlength so that the lamp may be moved from its position behind one targetto the position behind another when desired.

The main targets employed for the different ranges correspond,preferably,to standard targets customarily used for such ranges, butproportionately reduced for the actual range for which thetarget-practice apparatus is adjusted, subtargets corresponding to themain targets, but proportionately reduced in size, being employed inconnection with the main target for each of the different ranges.

Since accurate work, as stated, requires the joints of the jointedholder to be so constructed as to have their axes brought to convergenceat a fixed distance from the gun, which distance is the range employed,this limits the use of such a target-practice apparatus to a fixed rangeunless the jointed holder is replaced by another holder constructed fora different range. This ordinarily, however, is no disadvantage, sincethe equivalent of variable ranges may be had by a suitable reduction ofthe targets corresponding to such difierent ranges to targets adaptedfor use with the target'practice apparatus at a fixed range, as hasalready been described. In order, however, that when desired theapparatus may be employed upon any length of actual range at will, I mayconstruct the holder parts so as to be adjustable to-such differentranges, as best shown in Fig. 12. The holder D is shown as pivoted at a,and the opposite side of the holder may be adjusted to vary the angularrelation of the axes of the joints, be ing secured by means of aset-screw it upon one part of the joint and engaging the slot n in theother member of said joint. A micrometer-scale between the twooverlapping edges of the two joined members (see Fig 1 and 16) may beemployed to accurately indicate the exact angular relation between thejoints at any given time. A similar adjustment may be employed, as shownin Fig. 12, upon the bracket 6, although the overhang of the gun uponthe bracket is so short that adjustment at this point would ordinarilybe unnecessary. The remaining joint D of the jointed holder, Fig. 3, isprovided with a pivotal adjustment similar to that described inconnection with D.

It will be obvious that my invention is in no respect limited totheparticular details of construction which I have herein shown, nor to therelative arrangement of parts described, but that the same maybemodified within wide limits without departing from 2. A target-practiceapparatus having an aiming device, following means movably connectedtherewith to follow the aiming movements thereof, and means to definethe relative alinement of said aiming device and following means topermit them repeatedly to assume one and the same relative alinement forpreliminary adjustment of the apparatus.

3. A target-practice apparatus comprising an aiming device having acomparatively unrestricted aiming movement, a movable indicating memberconnected with and to follow the aim of the aiming device, and means torestrict the range of movement of said indicating means Within adefinite area to permit of excess of movement of saidaiming device oversaid indicating means.

4. An aiming device, having a comparatively unrestricted aimingmovement, a movable indicating member, means connecting the same withand to follow the aim of said aiming device, means to restrict the rangeof movement of said indicating member within a definite area, and ayielding connection between said indicating member and aiming device topermit excess of movement of the latter over the former.

5. A target-practice apparatus comprising an aiming device for aiming ata target, said device being adjustable to accommodate the variousheights of different marksmen in the same posture, following andindicating means to follow and indicate the aim of said device, asupport for the marksman, and additional means to vary the relativevertical distance between said support and aiming device to accommodatea marksman in different aiming postures. 4

6. The combination with a target-practice apparatus adapted to followthe aim of an aiming device when aimed at an object, of reflecting meansarranged in front of said device to enable the latter to be pointed in adirection other than toward such object and aim-indicating meanscooperating with and to record the accuracy'of aim ofsaid aiming deviceas determined bysaid reflecting means.

7. A target-practice apparatus, provided with a device having an aimingmovement for aiming at a target, or like object, and having also apositioning movement while in the hands of a marksman, a followertherefor to follow and indicate the aim thereof by movement relative toa reference object, said follower performingits relativeindicatingmovement only upon the aiming movement of the said aimingdevice.

8. A target-practice apparatus, comprising an aiming device, a supportabout which said device has a gyratory movement, and means connectingsaid device to said support to permit also of a lateral and longitudinalpositioning movement relatively thereto while in the hands of themarksman.

9. A targetpractice apparatus provided with a support, an aiming devicehaving an aiming movement thereon, means also to per mit of freelyraising and lowering the said device to give a positioning movementwhile in the hands of the marksman, and a follower to follow the aimingmovement with reference to a fixed object and following said aimingmovement only.

10. A target-practice apparatus provided witha support, an aiming devicehaving an aiming movement thereon, means also to permit of freely movingsaid device forward or backward relatively to said support to give apositioning movement while in the hands of a marksman, and a follower tofollow the aiming movement with reference to a fixed object andfollowingsaid aiming movement only.

11. A target-practice apparatus, having an aiming device for aiming at atarget or like object, a restless support for said device and followingmeans to follow the aim thereof with relation to a reference object.

12. A target-practice apparatus, provided with an aiming device, afollower, an indicator having a support separate from the support ofsaid follower, and an adjustable connection between said follower andindicator to vary the relative movement between the latter and saidaiming device.

13. A target-practice apparatus, having an aiming device and followingmeans to follow and indicate the aim thereof, said device having apositioning movement relatively to said following means about one ormore axes of revolution, the latter converging with the axis of theaiming device substantially toward a common point.

14:- A target-practice apparatus provided with an aiming device having arestless support for aiming at a main target, means connected with thedevice itself for indicating the accuracy of aim and means to relievethe marksman of the weight of the connecting parts when in the act ofaiming the said de- V106.

15. A targetpractice apparatus provided with an aiming device for aimingat a main target, a subtarget, following means to follow the aim of thesaid device and indicate the same with reference to the subtarget andmeans to relieve the marksman of substantially all but the Weight ofsaid device when in the act of simulated firing.

16. A target-practice apparatus, having an aiming device, an indicatorfor following and indicating the aim thereof relatively to a referenceobject, means to define the relative position of said indicator andreference object to permit them repeatedly to assume the same relativeposition for preliminary adjustment of the apparatus;

17. A target-practice apparatus, having an aiming device, an indicatorfor following and indicating the aim thereof relatively to a referenceobject, and means to define the relative position of said aiming device,indicator and reference object to permit them to repeatedly assume oneand the same relative position for adjustment of the apparatus, and tomaintain such relative position during adjustment.

18. A target-practice apparatus, having an aiming device for aiming atamain target or like object, following means to follow and indicate theaim of said device relatively to a reference object, a support uponwhich said device and following means are carried, means to efiectrelative adjustment of said main target and target-practice apparatus,and means to define the position of said aiming device and followingmeans upon said support during adjustment to permit the repeatedassumption thereby of the same position on said support.

19. A targetpractice apparatus provided with an aiming device adapted tobe aimed at a main target, recording means to record the aim thereofcomprising a subtarget, and a recording member relatively movable onetoward the other, one of which follows the movement of the device duringaiming, propelling means to bring said recording member in contact withsaid subtarget, means for restraining said propelling means,electromagnetic releasing devices connected with the trigger of theaiming device to release said propelling means and means to reset themovable member.

20. A target-practice apparatus provided with an aiming device adaptedto be aimed at a distant .target, means for effecting-a permanent recordof the aim thereof, comprising a recording member, and a'target-holder,one of which follows the movement of the device during aiming, saidtarget-holder being provided with positioning means for maintainingsuccessively a series of targets having each coiiperating positioningmeans in the same relative position to the recording member.

21. Target-practice apparatus comprising a device for aiming, followingmeans for engaging and following the aim of the same, a recordingmedium, such as a subtarget and means for moving said medium toward andagainst said following means to record the accuracy of the aim.

22. Target-practice apparatus having an aiming device, indicating meanscomprising an indicating medium and an indicating member, movable onerelatively toward the other to efiect an indication of the aim,propelling means to'move the movable member and means to permit thecompletion of such movement through the momentum thereof.

23. A target-practice apparatus, having an aiming device, indicatingmeans comprising an indicating medium and an indicating member onemovable relatively toward the other to eifect an'indication of the aim,propelling means to cause initial movement of the movable element, andmeans for completing the indicating movement of said elementindependently of said propelling means.

24. Target-practice apparatus comprising a device for aiming at a maintarget, recording means comprising a subtarget and a recording member,one of which is adapted to follow the movements of the deviceduringaiming and electromagnetic means for record-- ing the relative positionof the recording member and snbtargetat the time of simulated firin 25.A target-practice apparatus comprising an aiming device,'having anaiming movement, and means for simulating the act of firing, a followerto follow said movement, a movable target, and means for moving saidtarget toward said follower to efiect a record of the aim thereon at thetime of simulated firin 26. Target practice apparatus provided with anaiming device for aiming at a target, a gyratory supporting membertherefor having a universal support near one end and means near theother end thereof for securing the same against gyration for adjustmentof said apparatus.

l 27. A target-practice apparatus having an aimingdevice, a supporttherefor, connection between said device and support to permit theaiming of the former at a main target when in the hands of a marksman, afollower to follow and indicate the aim of said device, and a rest forsaid device connected with said support.

28. In a target-practice apparatus a subtarget, a support therefor, asliding connection between said target and supportand means for slidingsaid target upon said support to efi'ect a record of the aim upon saidtarget.

29. In a target-practice apparatus an aiming'device,a movablesubtargegsettin g means forsaid target and releasing means alsotherefor'operable at the time of simulated firing.

30. An apparatus of the class described having a device to be aimed at adistant target and following and aim-indicating means, a singlesupporting member therefor, a standard upon which said member issupported and screw-adjusting means to adjust said member laterally orvertically upon said standard.

31. A target-practice apparatus, comprising an aiming device,aim-indicating means including an indicating member and a subtarget orother reference object, one of which follows the aim of the aimingdevice, and means for bringing the subtarget and indicating member withcertainty into a predetermined relative position to be there maintainedduring the adjustment of the apparatus.

32. A target-practice apparatus, having an aiming device and followingmeans to follow and indicate the aim thereof, said device having apositioning movement relatively to said following means about and alongone or more axes of revolution, the latter converging with the axis ofthe aiming device substantially toward a'common point.

33. An aiming device, having a comparatively unrestricted aimingmovement, a movable indicating member, to follow the aim of said aimingdevice, means to restrict. the range of movement of said indicatingmember Within a definite area, and a connection between said indicatingmember and aiming device to cause adefinite relation to be maintainedbetween the same during normal aiming movement but permitting excess ofmove ment of the aiming device over the indicating member.

34:. A target-practice apparatus, having an aiming device, a gyratoryfollower having a universal support, a ball-and-socket connectionbetween said aiming device and said follower, and means to permit theunseating of said connection. I

35. A target-practice apparatus having an aiming device for aiming at amain target, said device being adjustable to accommodate the varyingheights of difierent marksmen' in the same aiming posture, following andaim-indicating means all on a single carrier and means for fixing saidcarrier at different heights to accommodate a marksman in differentaiming postures.

36. Atarget-practice apparatus of the class described having a devicefor simulating the aiming and firing of a firearm, said device being adjustable to accommodate the varying heights of different marksmen in thesame aiming posture, acarrier for said device, and means for fixing saidcarrier to accommodate difierent aiming postures of a marksman.

37. In an apparatus of the class described, an aiming device, a carriertherefor, a standard having a plurality of carrier-supportingmeans atdifferent heights.

38. A target-practice apparatus of the class at a target, followingmeans to follow themovements of the device during aiming, means to varythe ratio of movement between such following means and aiming device andindicating devices to indicate the extent of variation.

40. A target-practice apparatus of the class described, havingan aimingdevice for aiming. at a target, a gyratory follower, a gyratory in- F.dicator, an adjustable connection between the f two, means for securingthe same in a plurality of positions and an indicator to indicate theposition thereof.

described, having an aiming devicefor aiming at a target, followingmeans to indicate the aim thereof, devices for adjusting the devicerelative to the target and means for indicating the adjustment.

.42. A target-practice apparatus of the class described, having anaiming device for aiming at a main target, following means to indicatethe aim thereof, a subtarget cooperating with the following means, meansfor adjusting the aiming device, following means and subtarget relativeto the main target and means for indicating the adjustment.

43. A target-practice apparatus of the class described, having an aimingdevice for aiming at a main target, followingmeans to indicate the aimthereof, a reference object, as a subtarget, cooperating with saidfollowing means, and means for bringing the apparatus to a predeterminedadjustment, to compensate for a definite degree ofdefective-eyesightcompensating means for said apparatus- 44. Atarget-practice apparatus of the class described, having an aimingdevice for-aiming at a main target, following means to indicate the aimthereof, a subtarget cooperating with said following means, means foradjusting said apparatus, so'that when the aiming device points to thebulls-eye of the main target the indicating device deviates from thebulls-eye of the subtarget and means for indicating such deviation.

45. A target-practice apparatus of the class described, mounted on asingle adjust-able carrierand a plurality of vertical and lateraladjusting devices for saidcarrier whereby said carrier may be given apreliminary adjustment by one set of devices and a subsequent adjustmentby another.

46. Atarget-practice apparatus of the class described, mounted upon anadjustable carrier, a fixed support therefor, a rest for said on toreceive said carrier.

carrier upon said fixed support, said restconstituting a fulcrum aboutwhich said carrier may be adjusted, means for adjusting said carrierlaterally or vertically about said rest and means upon the carrieradjustable relatively thereto and engaging said rest to vary theposition of said carrier thereon.

47. Atarget-practice apparatus-of the class described, mounted upon acarrier, a fixed support therefor, and a plurality of rests upon saidfixed support to engage said carrier.

48. A target-practice apparatusof the class described, mounted upon aremovable carrier, a fixed support and a tapered stud there- 49.Atarget-practice apparatus of the class described, mounted upon acarrier, a fixed support, means carried by the carrier by which the sameis secured to said support, said means being adjustable laterally andvertically relatively to said carrier, whereby the position of saidcarrier and apparatus 41. A target-practice apparatus of the class maybe varied.

50. A target-practice apparatus of the class described, havingan aimingdevice for aiming 0 at a 'main target, and following means to indicatethe aim thereof, a subtarget cooperating with said following means, saidmain-target and subtarget being proportioned for practice at a definiterange and means for ad- 5 justing the apparatus to simulate firing at anincreased or diminished range.

51. A target-practice apparatus of the class described, having afreely-movable aiming device for aiming at atarget, and a plurality tooof separately-connterbalanced following devices connected therewith.

52. A target-practice apparatus of the class described having an aimingdevice for aiming at a target, a jointed holder for said device andseparate counterbalancing means for the several jointed members of saidholder.

53. A target-practice apparatus of the class described, having anaiming. device carried by a support, a plurality of movable mem- 11obers connected with said device, a plurality of weighted arms pivotallymounted on said support and connections between said arms and movablemembers.

54. A target-practice apparatus of the class I I5 described having anaiming device for aiming at a target, a support therefor, a connectingmember between said device. and said support and a counter-weighted armconnected to said member.

55. At-arget-practice apparatus of the class described having an aimingdevice, a follower, a jointed holder to permit positioning of the aimingdevice without necessary deflection of the follower, and a stop tolimit, the movement of one of the jointed members of said holder. j

56. Atarget-practice apparatus of the class described having an aimingdevice freely movable about a support, a stop to limit the 1 0 andvisible to the marksman through said reflecting device.

58. In an apparatus for extended-range practice, an aiming device havingan aiming movement in the hands of a marksman, a main target at whichthe aim of said aiming device is to be directed, aim-recording means torecord the aim thereof comprising a recording member and a subtarget,the latter being a counterpart in miniature of said main target, thesaid aiming device, main target and recording means being all mountedupon a single portable support providing'thereby a self-containedtarget-practice apparatus combined with a mirror to render said maintarget visible.

59. In an apparatus of the class described an aiming device, a supporttherefor, a reflecting device, and a plurality of dissimilar targets orotherdike objects to be aimed at secured to said support to be visibleto the marksman through said reflecting device.

60. In an apparatus of the class described an aiming device, a pluralityof dissimilar targets at which said device may be aimed andcorresponding respectively to dissimilar ranges, following means tofollow. the movement of said device during aiming, and a sub-- target toindicate the aim.

61. In an apparatus of the class described, an aiming device, aplurality of dissimilar targets at which said device may be aimed andcorresponding respectively to dissimilar ranges, following means tofollow the movement of said device during aiming and means to present tosaid following means a subtarget corresponding to that one of saiddissimilar targets for the time being in use.

' 62. In an apparatus of the class described, an aiming device, a maintarget toward which all aiming movement is directed, recording devicesto follow and record the aim of the aiming device, including a removablesubtarget upon which all record of the aim is effected, and illuminatingmeans for the main target. 7

63. An apparatus of the class described having a subtarget, a source oflight and a main target outlined upon a translucent material interposedbetween the members and said source of light.

64. In an apparatus of the class described, an aiming device, atranslucent main target toward which all aiming movement is directed,recording devices to follow and record the aim of the aiming devicesincluding a sub target upon which all record of the aim is elfected andmeans to light the main target. 65. An apparatus of the class describedhaving an aiming device adapted to be aimed at a main target andremovably connected to a support, an electric circuit normally passingfrom said support to said device and means for automatically making saidcircuit on connecting the gun to the support.

66. An apparatus having an aiming device for aiming at a main target, aholder to which said device is removably secured and means forautomatically closing electrical connection between the aiming deviceand holder when the former is positioned upon the latter.

67. An apparatus of the class described having an aiming device, and oneor more ballbearing connected parts having bearing-adjusting meansaccessible through a central bearing-opening.

68. An apparatus of the class described provided with an aiming device,a holder therefor, and a yielding connection between said device andsaid holder to normally secure said device to said holder but, by itsyielding action, permitting its removal therefrom.

69 An apparatus of the class described provided with an aiming device, aholder therefor, and a yielding connection between said device and saidholder to normally secure said device to said holder but permitting itsremoval therefrom.

70. An apparatus of the class described,pro

vided with an aiming device, a holder there- 'for, movable with thedevice during aiming I movement, means for securing said device in theholder and manually-operable latching means for said securing means.

71. In an apparatus of the class described, an aiming device, a jointedholder, a balland a spring-pressed bearing, withdrawal of which permitsseparation of said members.

72. In an apparatus of the class described, an aiming device, a gyratoryrod connected therewith and on which said device has a sliding movementand means tending to restore said device to a normal position on saidrod when longitudinally displaced thereon.

73. In an apparatus of the class described an aiming device, a gyratoryrod for supporting the same and a universal support for said rod, saiddevice being connected to said rod on opposite sides of the universalsupport.

74:. A target-practice apparatus comprising an aiming device having anaiming movement whereby the same may be deflected toward or from a maintarget or other like object, a follower to follow said aiming movement,an articulated connection between said device and said follower topermit a positioning movement of the former, the axis or axes ofarticulation converging with the axis of the aiming device and of thesaid follower substan tially toward a common point and means forchanging the relation of the axis or axes of articulation.

75. A target-practice apparatus having an aiming device and followingmeans to follow and indicate the aim thereof, said device hav- Intestimony whereof I have signed my ing a positioning movement relativelyto said name to this specification in the presence of 10 following meansabout one or' more axes of two subscribing witnesses.

revolution, the latter converging with the l w *1 axis of said aimingdevice substantially to- HENRY CUMMINGS Ward a common point, and meansfor chang- \Vitnesses:

ing the angular relation of said axis to change THOMAS B. BOOTH,

the location of the point of convergence. EVERETT S. EMERY.

